Changes to Fire Safety Law
New Fire Safety Order [The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005]
New fire safety rules affecting all non-domestic premises in England, Wales and Scotland came into force October 2006. If you are:
- Responsible for business premises
- An employer
- Self-employed with business premises
- A charity or voluntary organisation
- A contractor with control over any premises
Then this law affects you .
As part of the Governments commitment to reduce death, injury and damage caused by fire, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has been reviewing fire safety law; and has made a number of changes, which have been designed to make the law easier to understand and to comply with.
The changes form the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO) in England and Wales while in Scotland they form part of the fire (Scotland) Act 2005. The changes set out in the RRFSO will apply to all non-domestic premises only.
THE REGULATORY REFORM (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO)
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was approved by Parliament on 7th June 2005 and has become law on 1st October 2006
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The main effect of the changes will be a move towards greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises, including the voluntary sector and self-employed people with premises separate from their home.
FIRE CERTIFICATES WILL NO LONGER BE VALID AND WILL NO LONGER HAVE LEGAL STATUS
The Fire Safety Order covers “general fire precautions” and other fire safety duties, which are needed to protect “relevant persons” in case of fire in and around most premises'.
The Order requires fire precautions to be put in place "where necessary" and to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable in the circumstances of the case.
If you are responsible for premises other than for domestic use it's your responsibility to ensure you abide by the law.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the fire safety reform order?
It will be a consolidation of nearly all-existing fire safety legislation.
Who will it affect?
Primarily employers and building owners but it could be anyone who has some control over premises.
What will I have to do?
Mainly carry out a risk assessment and act on the findings
I have a fire certificate..Will that be valid?
No. Fire certificates will no longer be valid. However a quite recent fire certificate will be a good basis for your fire risk assessment.
Will the Fire and Rescue Service still inspect my premises?
Fire and rescue will still carry out inspections on premises especially the higher risk premises, but they cannot carry out the fire risk assessment.